Is the FR-S/BRZ for Me? (Newbie) - Page 3 - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

finch1750 · 09-25-2013, 09:51 PM

This isn't really something we can answer. Your dogs would fit, but not be able to lay down with both back there.

As far as the issues, it depends. Will random clunks bother you? Crickets? Cheap-ish interior and thin paint?

To me I don't care or notice half the stuff people complain about. I had to get a taillight replaced, boo hoo. Had to get the ECU swapped, took forever, and oh well. It happens. The car is slow (coming from 300+ hp car), but I don't mind the least. Some do. I love cars enough and this car in particular that I know problems happen, but they are not the end of the world for me if my car isn't perfect. Only you can judge that for yourself.

dsgerbc · 09-25-2013, 09:58 PM

Next year? Need to carry dogs around? The only car? Next-gen WRX.
Should be announced soon, with deliveries early next year.

Here's my take: BRZ/FR-S are very fun in the dry/slightly damp conditions. But OEM tires are inadequate, crappy and kinda dangerous in the really wet conditions. Not even talking about snow. But, if you upgrade the tires the car will lose character at street speeds and gonna be less fun to daily-drive. You're gonna have to be breaking speed limits severely just to get a hair loose. So I would not recommend the car as the only car/daily driver in places where it actually rains. Add to that the requirement to haul dogs around and you get the point.

So I'd look into the new WRX, or get some regular hatchbach and buy a used Miata for the change to satisfy your RWD craving.

DylanFRS · 09-25-2013, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddhalite

I have a 65 lb Bull Terrier and a very leggy Boxer and both fit in the back seat without issue. You just need a hammock for the back seat to keep it clean.

Can I get one of those in black?

I really wish someone would come up with some neat dog hair-catcher/seat cover for our cars that also covers the sides.

Tromatic · 09-26-2013, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Here's my take: BRZ/FR-S are very fun in the dry/slightly damp conditions. But OEM tires are inadequate, crappy and kinda dangerous in the really wet conditions.

It's twice as much fun in the rain.

dsgerbc · 09-26-2013, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tromatic

It's twice as much fun in the rain.

Then, suddely, a guardrail.

(fr-s) · 09-26-2013, 12:33 AM

In a word...no

tacoss23 · 09-26-2013, 02:40 AM

Looks like you would be the right candidate for the BRZ/FRS.

I get what you are saying about the Mazda 6. I just sold my BMW 328i that I got 5 years ago when I got out of college. While the 328i was a fun car (RWD, 6 sec 0-60) I eventually got bored of it. Great car nonetheless.

Hence I decided to instead trading it for the new generation F30 335i, I decided to get myself 2 cars. The BRZ as my toy and the new 2013 Accord Sport as my DD.

So I understand where you are coming from, I got my Accord in July and I'm already freaking bored of it. Great practical all around car, but it's soulless (just like its entire segment).

If you can't afford to keep your Mazda6 for DD, then I recommend getting the FRS, that way 2 years from now you won't feel like you are paying something you want to get rid off, which is what happens with the D segment sedans.

Regarding the dog, a pitbull should be fine in the back seats. Now, if you decide to get a 100 pound German Shepherd male like I did, then that's a different story.

tacoss23 · 09-26-2013, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Next year? Need to carry dogs around? The only car? Next-gen WRX.
Should be announced soon, with deliveries early next year.

Here's my take: BRZ/FR-S are very fun in the dry/slightly damp conditions. But OEM tires are inadequate, crappy and kinda dangerous in the really wet conditions. Not even talking about snow. But, if you upgrade the tires the car will lose character at street speeds and gonna be less fun to daily-drive. You're gonna have to be breaking speed limits severely just to get a hair loose. So I would not recommend the car as the only car/daily driver in places where it actually rains. Add to that the requirement to haul dogs around and you get the point.

So I'd look into the new WRX, or get some regular hatchbach and buy a used Miata for the change to satisfy your RWD craving.

+1 to this.

Yeah, I didn't think about it, but if you are going for having only one car, then the WRX is by far the best option. That means you will have to put up with your Mazda6 one more year though (at least).

The 2015 WRX pre-production model is supposed to debut this November in the LA show. If it looks anything remotely close to the concept, then I'd wait for it.

hmong337 · 09-26-2013, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tromatic

It's twice as much fun in the rain.

And 4x funner than that in the snow!

boxer 2.5 · 09-26-2013, 03:23 AM

I'd be afraid of the dogs scratching the back of the seats/plastic. I have an 85 pound black lab and he's all over my 07 Impreza. I'd skip on the FRS/BRZ if you plan on driving your pups around.

nycfl123 · 09-26-2013, 04:58 AM

I have 53 lb dog in car all the time. It's not as easy as opening a 4 door but it's not a big deal. Also she can get in and out of trunk which it kind of funny.

Plenty of room in back for her with seats down. It's a bit more loud/rattled back there with seat down but it doesn't seem to bother me

Obviously a hot hatch will be most convienient. 2 big Pitts might be pushing it.

Good luck

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nycfl123 · 09-26-2013, 05:03 AM

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Guff · 09-26-2013, 08:30 AM

Have you driven a MazdaSpeed3? They're AWESOME. I have only driven a first gen, but man, those things are insane! I feel like it might fit you fairly well, as it is more practical than a FRS. As far as FWD cars go, it is a very fun car (which can even prove to be a handful) and it will oversteer plenty if you push the right buttons...

Minhtyfresh · 09-26-2013, 01:31 PM

Sounds like it's a non-issue if you have access to another car for the dogs.

I can't chime in on the pet situation.. but I do find that practicality is very "relative". It all depends on your wants and needs.

I NEED:
-to get to work
-Comfortably fit 1 person with me in the car at all times
-fit my work bags, golf clubs, skateboard, etc..

WANT:
-RWD, fun to drive, good looking car, bluetooth/usb/aux capability.
-Fit 2 people sometimes for short trips.

So.. in my case, this car does all of this, and is perfectly practical for ALL my needs and wants. For you, your pet requirements might not match up and I might suggest getting something a bit roomier. But like I said - If you have another car to take care of your pet needs... then this car is just fine! (:

09-25-2013, 09:51 PM	#29
finch1750 Undisputed El Presidente Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Zenki 37J ZN6 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 11,593 Thanks: 9,403 Thanked 9,411 Times in 5,270 Posts Mentioned: 374 Post(s) Tagged: 33 Thread(s)	This isn't really something we can answer. Your dogs would fit, but not be able to lay down with both back there. As far as the issues, it depends. Will random clunks bother you? Crickets? Cheap-ish interior and thin paint? To me I don't care or notice half the stuff people complain about. I had to get a taillight replaced, boo hoo. Had to get the ECU swapped, took forever, and oh well. It happens. The car is slow (coming from 300+ hp car), but I don't mind the least. Some do. I love cars enough and this car in particular that I know problems happen, but they are not the end of the world for me if my car isn't perfect. Only you can judge that for yourself. __________________ "Just like how a strut bar somehow enables you to corner 20MPH faster around a cloverleaf on-ramp, when the reality is, you can do it already but you just don't have to balls to do it." - CSG David

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09-25-2013, 09:58 PM	#30
dsgerbc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: BRZ(sold), STI Location: A2, MI Posts: 1,915 Thanks: 176 Thanked 419 Times in 241 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Next year? Need to carry dogs around? The only car? Next-gen WRX. Should be announced soon, with deliveries early next year. Here's my take: BRZ/FR-S are very fun in the dry/slightly damp conditions. But OEM tires are inadequate, crappy and kinda dangerous in the really wet conditions. Not even talking about snow. But, if you upgrade the tires the car will lose character at street speeds and gonna be less fun to daily-drive. You're gonna have to be breaking speed limits severely just to get a hair loose. So I would not recommend the car as the only car/daily driver in places where it actually rains. Add to that the requirement to haul dogs around and you get the point. So I'd look into the new WRX, or get some regular hatchbach and buy a used Miata for the change to satisfy your RWD craving.

09-26-2013, 12:33 AM	#34
(fr-s) Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 2013 fr-s 6sp Location: Big D Posts: 36 Thanks: 6 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	In a word...no

09-26-2013, 02:40 AM	#35
tacoss23 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: '08 328i, '13 Accord Sport, '13 BRZ Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 159 Thanks: 36 Thanked 75 Times in 46 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Looks like you would be the right candidate for the BRZ/FRS. I get what you are saying about the Mazda 6. I just sold my BMW 328i that I got 5 years ago when I got out of college. While the 328i was a fun car (RWD, 6 sec 0-60) I eventually got bored of it. Great car nonetheless. Hence I decided to instead trading it for the new generation F30 335i, I decided to get myself 2 cars. The BRZ as my toy and the new 2013 Accord Sport as my DD. So I understand where you are coming from, I got my Accord in July and I'm already freaking bored of it. Great practical all around car, but it's soulless (just like its entire segment). If you can't afford to keep your Mazda6 for DD, then I recommend getting the FRS, that way 2 years from now you won't feel like you are paying something you want to get rid off, which is what happens with the D segment sedans. Regarding the dog, a pitbull should be fine in the back seats. Now, if you decide to get a 100 pound German Shepherd male like I did, then that's a different story.

09-26-2013, 03:23 AM	#38
boxer 2.5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 2007 Impreza, 2013 BRZ Location: Vernon, CT Posts: 314 Thanks: 240 Thanked 119 Times in 78 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'd be afraid of the dogs scratching the back of the seats/plastic. I have an 85 pound black lab and he's all over my 07 Impreza. I'd skip on the FRS/BRZ if you plan on driving your pups around.

09-26-2013, 04:58 AM	#39
nycfl123 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: raven frs Location: fl/nyc Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have 53 lb dog in car all the time. It's not as easy as opening a 4 door but it's not a big deal. Also she can get in and out of trunk which it kind of funny. Plenty of room in back for her with seats down. It's a bit more loud/rattled back there with seat down but it doesn't seem to bother me Obviously a hot hatch will be most convienient. 2 big Pitts might be pushing it. Good luck

09-26-2013, 05:03 AM	#40
nycfl123 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: raven frs Location: fl/nyc Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)

09-26-2013, 01:31 PM	#42
Minhtyfresh Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Whiteout fR-S Location: Windsor Posts: 98 Thanks: 6 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sounds like it's a non-issue if you have access to another car for the dogs. I can't chime in on the pet situation.. but I do find that practicality is very "relative". It all depends on your wants and needs. I NEED: -to get to work -Comfortably fit 1 person with me in the car at all times -fit my work bags, golf clubs, skateboard, etc.. WANT: -RWD, fun to drive, good looking car, bluetooth/usb/aux capability. -Fit 2 people sometimes for short trips. So.. in my case, this car does all of this, and is perfectly practical for ALL my needs and wants. For you, your pet requirements might not match up and I might suggest getting something a bit roomier. But like I said - If you have another car to take care of your pet needs... then this car is just fine! (:

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